The best way to get more views on YouTube is to optimize your videos so they show up in search and recommendations
— and keep viewers engaged once they click. That means mastering clickable thumbnails, compelling titles, and content that delivers on its promise.


With 10+ billion views tracked through coaching and tools, vidIQ provides data-backed insights into what drives video discovery.


In this section, we will break down strategies, examples, and case studies so you can consistently grow your views.

More Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

The fastest way to get more YouTube subscribers is to publish videos that keep viewers watching and make it easy for them to subscribe.
That means using strong titles and thumbnails, clear calls to action, and building content around topics people are already searching for.


At vidIQ, we analyze millions of channels to see what actually drives subscriber growth, from doubling down on high-retention videos
to packaging content in ways that hook new audiences. Explore our guides and case studies to learn proven tactics that will
help you grow your subscribers faster.

Get Subscribers

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers

To make money on YouTube, creators start by qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program and enabling ads, but that’s just the beginning. Real income comes from combining multiple streams: sponsorships, channel memberships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services. 

At vidIQ, we’ve studied how creators unlock monetization
milestones and scale beyond ad revenue. Here you will learn practical strategies to diversify income and build
a sustainable business from your YouTube channel.

Make Money

How To Make Money on YouTube

YouTube Analytics reveal which videos are working and why, but not all metrics matter equally. Watch time, retention, CTR, and revenue are the numbers that drive real growth. 

At vidIQ, we break down these metrics with examples so you can spot trends, identify weak points, and make smarter decisions for your channel. Here you’ll learn how to use analytics as a growth engine, not just a dashboard.

Data Insights

YouTube Analytics Explained: Metrics That Matter

Watch Time is arguably THE most important metric on YouTube right now, and creators won’t be able to monetize their content without 4000 hours of it. But what is it and how can creators increase the amount of Watch Time their videos attract? We keep you updated on the best practices around Watch Time, and how you can increase how much your video content generates.

Watch Time

YouTube Watch Time

YouTube Shorts are one of the fastest ways to reach new viewers and grow your channel.


With millions of Shorts analyzed, vidIQ has tracked the formats and strategies that help creators break through. Here you’ll learn how to make Shorts that stand out, and how to use them to boost your long-form videos.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts: Tips and Strategies

The best YouTube tips save time and make your videos perform better. From thumbnail tweaks to hidden features in YouTube Studio, small changes can drive big results. 

At vidIQ, we’ve tested countless tactics across millions of videos to see what really works. Here you’ll find quick wins and practical shortcuts you can use right now to grow faster and work smarter.

Quick Tips

YouTube Tips for Creators

The fastest way to grow on YouTube is to create content around trending topics while viewers are searching for them. 

With vidIQ’s data, we track the keywords, niches, and formats that are taking off across millions of channels. Here you’ll find insights into what’s working now, including creator case studies and examples, so you can publish videos that ride the wave of demand and stay ahead of competitors.

Trending Now

YouTube Trends and Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

 has one primary goal: to get their videos recommended to more people. They want YouTube to (finally) notice their content, identify the subject matter, and suggest it to thousands of like-minded viewers.

Your best plan of action, especially as a small creator, is to understand how YouTube recommends videos. You'll want to figure out why the algorithm promotes some content and, well...basically ignores others.

In truth, it's not that the algorithm doesn't favor you or is biased against your channel. 

YouTube doesn't hate small creators. It just doesn't know whom to recommend you to yet. 

In this blog, we'll learn how to fix that.

YouTube Recommendations Are Based on Viewer Behavior

Here's the first mindshift you need to make:

Every single video you upload is treated as a new test. 

YouTube doesn't care if you have 5 subscribers or 5 million. What it cares about is whether people are clicking on your video, sticking around to watch it, and coming back for more.

So even if your last 10 videos flopped, the next one still gets a shot. That's actually good news for small creators. But to pass the test, you've got to send YouTube the right signals about your content and your audience.

Graph showing typical video performance on YouTube

When someone watches your video and has a positive experience, YouTube starts looking for other people with similar viewing patterns and interests. The more positive signals you generate, the wider your reach becomes. This is why you'll sometimes see a small channel with 100 subscribers get a video that hits 50,000 views seemingly overnight.

YouTube’s 3-Tiered Recommendation System

Think of YouTube’s recommendation process like leveling up in a game. Every video is tested in a sequence of audiences:

Your subscribers and repeat viewers. This is your home base. If they enjoy the video, it moves to the next stage.

People in your niche who watch similar videos—maybe they follow your competitors or recently searched for the topic.

Complete strangers. If your video performs well in the first two groups, it “graduates” here and has a shot at virality.

The beauty of this system is that it rewards creators who truly serve their audience, not just those who game the algorithm. When you consistently deliver value to your core viewers, YouTube becomes more confident in recommending you to similar people.

Small creators often treat their channel like a digital diary. One day it's gaming, the next it's cooking, then it's a vlog with your dog. Creative freedom is great, but to the algorithm, it's pretty confusing.

Spoiler: If you make content for everyone, YouTube won't know who to recommend you to.

Think about it from YouTube's perspective. The platform serves billions of hours of content every day. Its job is to keep people watching by showing them exactly what they want to see. When your channel jumps between wildly different topics, YouTube can't build a 

clear picture of who your ideal viewer is.

This doesn't mean you can never evolve or try new things, but especially in your first 50-100 videos, consistency is your best friend.

Keep your thumbnails and titles visually consistent

Develop a recognizable content format or style

You're not just building videos. You're building a brand that YouTube can confidently recommend to the right people.

The biggest point of affirmation for the algorithm to determine whether your videos can be recommended or not is watch time. And the best way to do that is to improve the 

If someone watches your video and then watches another video (yours or someone else's), YouTube rewards you. If your video ends their session (they close the app or tab), that's a negative signal to YouTube recommendations. That's called 

5 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time on Any Video

Session time is arguably more important than individual video performance because it shows YouTube that your content fits into the broader viewing experience people want. 

When viewers stay on the platform after watching your video, you're contributing to YouTube's core business model. Here's how you can improve your session time:

Reference your other videos inside your current one

Use verbal handoffs: "Next, watch this…"

Create content series that naturally lead into each other

Use the "Hook – Hold – Handoff" Framework

This framework is used by some of the fastest-growing creators on YouTube. It's how you keep people watching—and signal to YouTube that your content is binge-worthy.

Grab attention in the first 5–10 seconds.

 "I cooked gourmet food for the most dangerous animals on Earth..."

The hook isn't just about being loud or shocking. It's about immediately communicating the value and intrigue of your video. Your hook should make viewers think: "I need to see how this plays out."

Progressive revelations, bigger stakes, deeper insights—whatever your video promises, you need to deliver it in a way that builds momentum rather than plateaus.

This is where pacing becomes crucial. Plan your content like a story with rising action. Each segment should feel more valuable or interesting than the last.

 "If you liked this one, just wait till you see what I did next…"

The result? Binge behavior. And binge behavior is the algorithm's rocket fuel.

A lot of small creators kill their videos with bad titles that are vague, boring, and generic. 

Your title is competing with hundreds of other videos for attention. Generic titles get ignored because they don't create any emotional investment. Specific titles with clear benefits cut through the noise.

Consider the psychology of your viewer when they're scrolling. They're asking themselves: "Is this worth my time?" Your title needs to answer that question with a clear "yes" and a compelling reason why.

In case of thumbnails, make sure to focus on clarity. If your thumbnails look like a chaotic Canva explosion... It's time to clean up. 

Expression that matches the video's emotion

You get 2 seconds on the homepage. Make them count. Your thumbnail needs to generate curiosity and be readable at the size of a postage stamp. If you can't tell what your thumbnail is about when it's tiny, neither can your potential viewers.

How To Create Scroll-Stopping YouTube Thumbnails Faster with AI

Here's a fatal mistake a lot of creators make: You have an awesome title and a killer thumbnail… but your video intro is a snooze fest.

"Hey guys, welcome back to the channel! So glad you're here…"

…you've already lost half your audience. Instead, do this:

Reinforce the promise of the video immediately

If the title is "How YouTube Deleted My Channel," say it right away in the video: "Three days ago, YouTube deleted my channel, and here's exactly what happened…"

The first 15 seconds of your video are crucial for YouTube recommendations. This is where the algorithm decides whether your content is engaging enough to show to more people. A slow start signals that viewers might click away, which hurts your recommendation potential.

This one's sneaky. YouTube transcribes your entire video. Every word.

So, if your video is about YouTube recommendations but you never actually say "YouTube recommendations," the algorithm may not be confident in what your video is about.

Say your main keyword early and naturally

 ("YouTube algorithm," "getting recommended," etc.)

YouTube's automatic captions and transcription feed directly into their understanding of your content. This semantic understanding helps the algorithm match your video with relevant searches and recommend it alongside similar content.

Don't stuff keywords awkwardly, but make sure you're naturally using the language your audience uses when searching for your type of content.

YouTube favors videos that are relevant right now. This is called 

. Your chances of getting recommended skyrocket if you time your video with:

A phone showing the youtube logo next to the youtube homepage on a desktop computer

How does the YouTube algorithm work — specifically, the recommendation engine that promotes videos to billions of viewers? Keep reading to find out and grow your channel!

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

Uploading videos to YouTube is one of the most exciting steps in sharing your creativity, knowledge, or entertainment with the world. The butterflies, the nerves, and the seconds leading up to the final click--it's what YouTubers live and breathe for!

In the video above, Rob talks about the entire process in detail. Whether you’re a beginner or just getting back into the swing of content creation, understanding the ins and outs of uploading can set you on the path to success. 

Today, we’ll walk you through the essential steps, tips, and tools to help you confidently upload your videos to YouTube.

How to Find Winning YouTube Video Ideas in Minutes with vidIQ Remix

Before diving into video creation, let’s focus on the logistics of uploading your content. YouTube’s upload process is user-friendly, designed to cater to creators of all skill levels.

: Ensure you’re signed in with the correct account, especially if you manage multiple channels.

: On the top-right corner of your YouTube dashboard, click the camera icon with a plus sign (often labeled "Create"). Select "Upload video."

: Choose between dragging your video file into the upload window or manually browsing and selecting it.

YouTube supports a variety of video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI, but MP4 is generally recommended for quality and file size.

When the upload begins, YouTube processes your video in the background, but a few important initial settings need attention:

: Start by setting your video visibility to "Private" or "Unlisted." This step ensures you have time to make necessary adjustments before your audience sees the content.

: Add a working title and draft description while the upload progresses. These placeholders can be polished later.

Choosing the right visibility option ensures your video is shared appropriately:

: Ideal for drafts or testing. Only you can view the video.

: Accessible only via direct link. Perfect for sharing with collaborators before public release.

: Visible to all YouTube users. Use this option only when you’re confident the video is ready.

You should wait until the video is fully processed before making it public ensures viewers experience optimal playback quality.

As part of YouTube’s compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), you’ll need to specify whether your content is “Made for Kids.” Here’s what you need to know:

: Includes videos specifically targeting children under 13. Examples include cartoons, educational content for young audiences, or toy reviews.

: Selecting this option limits certain features, like personalized ads and comments, but ensures compliance with legal requirements.

Your title is the first thing viewers notice. A well-crafted title can significantly impact your video’s performance:

: Titles should clearly reflect the content of the video. For example, "How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee" is better than "Coffee Tips."

Search-Based vs. Entertainment-Based Content

: If your video is educational, include specific keywords viewers might search for. For entertainment, focus on intrigue or humor.

Thumbnails play a vital role in attracting clicks. Here’s how to design a compelling one:

: Avoid cluttered designs. A single focal point works best.

: Bold, contrasting colors catch the eye.

: Include short, readable text to reinforce the title.

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Video chapters improve navigation and retention by breaking your content into easily accessible segments. Here’s how to add them:

: List key moments in your description with timestamps. This helps viewers to navigate your content better and get maximum value out of it.

: Ensure each timestamp clearly reflects its segment.

Effective descriptions can boost your video’s discoverability:

: Include important keywords naturally in the first two sentences.

: Add links to related content, sources, or your social media profiles.

YouTube SEO: How to Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Views

If you're eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), monetization can generate revenue from your videos. Here’s how to get started:

: Choose the types of ads (e.g., skippable, non-skippable) to enable on your video.

: YouTube provides a checklist to ensure your content complies with advertiser-friendly guidelines.

Transparency is key to maintaining trust:

: You can block ads from categories or websites that may conflict with your brand values.

: If your video includes sponsored content, enable the “Paid Promotion” tag to comply with disclosure requirements.

End screens guide viewers to their next destination, keeping them on your channel longer:

: Recommend one or two specific videos or playlists.

: Make it easy for viewers to subscribe to your channel.

While there's not a specific time to upload on YouTube, your channel and your audience activity has its highs and lows over the day. Here's what you need to consider getting the most out of it:

: Use YouTube Analytics to identify when your audience is most active on the platform.

: Select the "Schedule" option to publish your video automatically at an optimal time.

How to Find Out the Best Time to Publish a Video on YouTube

Now, keeping up with this checklist might look fairly tiring, especially spending excessive time on minor settings can detract from more impactful areas. And we at vidIQ believe in making the creative process simpler, so you can deliver on what's most important--making quality content. With a single subscription, vidIQ can help you with thumbnail design, generating ideas, and get personalized coaching for your growth. 

 and take your content journey to new heights! 

Before making your video public, run through this quick checklist:

 While tags were once essential, their impact has diminished. Use the

 to auto-fill the section with relevant tags.

: Check for any errors or issues in playback, audio, or visuals.

: Double-check visibility, description, and monetization settings.

: Decide whether to publish immediately or schedule for later.

Uploading a video to YouTube is more than just a technical process—it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity to the world. If you've got an idea and you believe in it, it's time to get it out to the world and let the journey begin. Do you want to 

make your first YouTube video stand out from the rest?

Person using MacBook Pro with YouTube logo on screen and pencils on wooden desk.

In this post, you'll learn how to upload videos on YouTube studio, regardless of if you're a newbie or a veteran!

How To Upload Videos to YouTube Creator Studio in 2025

Getting monetized on YouTube is a goal every creator wants to reach. It helps them start side hustles,

, or create a business selling products in physical stores. These days, the possibilities are endless!

But with so many options, how do you monetize YouTube videos in a sustainable, long-term way? 

There are several ways to do it, from joining the "standard" program that pays advertising revenue to making money through sponsorships. Let’s start with a beginner's guide on the basics of YouTube monetization.

The most common way to monetize your videos is by enrolling in the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which provides access to varied revenue streams including ads, fan funding, and sponsorships. Reaching partner status is an upgrade for your channel, as it helps you monetize your community, and, if you reach certain milestones, make money from video advertisements.

YouTube compensates creators via the Google AdSense program; understanding its mechanics is crucial for optimizing your earnings. For now, know that when a viewer watches/clicks an ad within your video, 

. That revenue is then split between you and YouTube, where you get 55% of the money, and YouTube takes the other 45%.

Before you can join the YPP, you need to accomplish a few milestones first.

, and more, here are the minimum requirements to join the YPP:

3,000 public watch hours in the previous 12 months 

 3 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days.

YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!

Minimum requirements for fan funding through the YouTube Partner Program

, you must meet the following requirements:

4,000 hours of public watch time within a 12-month period 

 10 million public YouTube Shorts views within a 90-day period.

graphic of how to get monetized on YouTube 

The good news is that once accepted into the YPP, you can continuously monetize your content without the need for reapplication after meeting new thresholds. Even if you entered the program with 500 subs and 3,000 watch hours, you don't need re-apply after hitting 4,000 hours and 1,000 subs. You'll simply unlock the revenue tools you didn't have before.

Once you’ve met all of YouTube’s requirements, you’re ready to apply to the YPP! You'll do this on the YouTube Studio's "earn' page, which also tracks how much watch time you have and how many subscribers you've gained. Simply apply on this page when YouTube gives you the green light.

YouTube's earn page that tracks watch time and subscribers

If you're unsure how to locate this feature in YouTube Studio, simply head to the 'earn' tab for detailed monetization metrics. 

If you apply and are rejected for the first time, you’ll have 21 days to appeal the decision. Then you'll have to wait another 30 days before re-applying.

If you’re rejected a second time, you’ll still have 21 days to appeal, but you can only re-apply after 90 days.

While this may seem harsh, it’s a balanced approach because YouTube is prioritizing new applicants over repeat ones. Use the time to fix anything unsavory on your channel, such as multiple 

 or videos that violate YouTube’s Community Guidelines.

 for as many videos as possible. You can do this while uploading new content, but it’s safer to wait until 

 you upload videos (at least a few hours). 

By then, YouTube will have processed your content. You’ll know if the system found something that could demonetize the video, such as 

Follow these steps to enable ads on your YouTube videos and boost your revenue:

Choose which ads you want to display on the video.

Keep in mind that even after monetization, not every video will display ads, especially if the content doesn’t meet advertiser-friendly standards. The best way to fully monetize a video (and keep it that way) is to create content in the PG to PG-13 range.

Understanding YouTube Monetization Metrics

Grasping YouTube monetization metrics is essential for creators looking to optimize their revenue streams. Key performance indicators include CPM (cost per mille) and RPM (revenue per mille), which help determine how much income is generated per 1,000 views. While CPM measures the advertiser's payment rate, RPM offers a clearer picture of what you actually take home after YouTube’s revenue share. Other critical metrics include watch time, audience retention, and the percentage of monetized views. 

High engagement not only boosts overall channel performance but also attracts higher-paying advertisers, especially if your audience comes from regions with strong economies. Metrics like click-through rates on ads, viewer demographics, and the time of year can further impact your earnings. Monitoring these numbers in YouTube Analytics allows creators to identify trends and adjust content strategies accordingly. By understanding these metrics, you can pinpoint what types of content perform best, optimize ad placements, and experiment with different video formats to maximize revenue. 

Ultimately, a data-driven approach will help you align your creative efforts with monetization goals, ensuring that every view contributes effectively to your income.

YouTube AdSense is beneficial, but it’s not a reliable form of income for creators. Advertisement rates go up and down, so it’s hard to make the same amount of money each year with video ads.

. CPM (cost per mille) refers to the amount of money advertisers pay per 1,000 video views on YouTube. The rates vary depending on your channel’s niche, audience demographics, and more.

This table compares YouTube monetization methods, outlining the requirements and revenue potential for each.

Want to earn a stable income on YouTube? Here are additional ways to make money from your videos.

1. YouTube Sponsorship Deals, Brand Deals

Learn how to get monetized on YouTube quickly. This comprehensive guide covers YPP requirements, ad revenue, and sponsorship tips for creators.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

How To Upload Videos to YouTube Creator Studio in 2025

How to Get Monetized on YouTube

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